RS4 delays?

[Merlot]

The S-Lines are peeing me off actually. You see a B7 one coming towards you and think it is an S4. Reality is I'm yet to see a B7 S4 on the road. If B8 is due in 07 does that mean B8 S4 in 08 or 09?

[NickB]

Whenever and whatever comes next you can bet that the residuals will no way be as good as we've seen with the B5 RS4. By the time the B7 RS4 Avant eventually arrives we may be able to check what the residuals are likely to be from the used car market for the saloon - not a good marketing strategy methinks!

[Dave]

By the time the B7 RS4 Avant eventually arrives we may be able to check what the residuals are likely to be from the used car market for the saloon - not a good marketing strategy methinks!

Very good point!!

I really cannot fathom Audi's thinking on this one.. why on earth delay the avant when you sell 5 for every saloon?

[simple1]

I was told that theyy have to change the avant shell radically, so hence the delay of the avant, was always under the impression that it was not going to be available until late spring anyway, so june works for me, the uber panzer tank will be two years old and ready for a change of driveway by then

[Simon_M]

The S-Lines are peeing me off actually.

I know what you mean, they are diluting the 'S' Brand - but in their eyes it is working. Audi sales are at record levels currently, with S-Lines flying out the doors.

In ye olde days the little red 'S' badge in the front grille meant the car meant business, nowadays it just means 'I got a bodykit & CD player for £1200 extra'.

And the silver wing mirrors now seem to be the essential item of every chav in the land, adhered to every Corsa & Saxo.

So hence my thoughts - my (future) black debadged RS4 with body colour mirrors will look very, very similar to every numpties 1.9TDi S-Line. OK mine would have a few more ponies and some fancy brakes., but is it worth another year waiting?

Simon

[gavsteryoung]

The same could be said for BMW.... my mate has a 530d Sport with full M-tech kit..... the only way you can tell it apart is the 4 tail pipes missing and replaced with a cast iron drain pipe with a turned down end.....

Are there any super saloons/avants out there that are now not comprimised in this way.... im having a hard time thinking of any.....

But I totally agree this does dilute the specialness of the cars....

I;m only an S4 driver so my car looks like an A4 but I know how you guys feel with regard to the new RS......

[Simon_M]

only an S4!

The S4 is a fine car, and again - the little red badge in the front grille used to mean it was a car not to be messed with.

That has gone.....

Fair point about the M5, that is being slated for being too subtle.

[Dippy]

I'm very happy with my 'Q-car' appearance. I could almost be tempted to remove my S4 badges!

If I had the money for a new car I'd be looking at the whole market, and I rather doubt that the new RS4 would be my 1st choice.

[Merlot]

Watch those 1.9Tdi S-Lines. They now have a 2.0 engine!

Interestingly if I ever need to get past anything German, diesel and six pots then I always choose my moment and gear carefully since if they want to arse you about it will be hard work getting past without doing silly speeds.

On another note I was following an old shape 540i BMW tonight and was impressed with its performance - not a lot slower than my B6 S4. It was smoking badly though!

[charlesdash]

Without to sound like a winging pom or limey, the reason for the sedan is very simply that the US do not buy performance station wagons. Never have done and never will do due to their mom and dad association with the cr*p that their car manufacturers turn out.
We Europeans may buy 5 avants for every saloon (in reality this is more likely to be 2:1 IMHO), but the American market for saloons will dwarf the European market for avants.

Money!

[Pete.S]

Couldn't agree more re S-Lines. I've learnt to keep me mouth shut now whilst on the motorway, when once I would have exclaimed "S4 coming the other way"

Must admit I have fallen for the look of the B7, but with the only real aesthetic difference between lowly models & the S4 being the quads, I've certainly been put off the move up. Surely it must be no coincidence either that I, also, have yet to see a B7 S4 on the road. In total agreement with the comments about diluting the S brand.
I was seriously considering the RS4 a few months back, but now rumours of a B8 surfacing next year! Jeeees, no way I'm going near a B7, be it S4 or RS4.

What would really shake it up is if the rumours surrounding the BMW 3 litre turbo unit are true, and if BM then married the powerplant with 4 wheel drive, well......
Anyone know the exact reason why, thus far, our Munich friends have refused to develop an all-wheel drive performance model?

[simple1]

Not too sure, I had a 325iX sport, E30 for many years after my late Father had finished with it, was not an out and out performance car, but with standard Alpina fettled 2.7 lt, it went bloody well, and was so much better behaved than a two wheel drive version that Ii had been driving. Was a little agricultural though, with massive trans shunt and noisy box.

[Dave]

NEWS UPDATE

** RS4 saloons now not due until December with the Avant put back to JUne 2006 **

[PhilT]

I was told early 2007 for the avant....

[Simon_M]

2007? WTF?

If the reviews don't sing from the hilltops on the delayed saloon (hopefully due to revised suspension for UK roads) then I am ditching the Avant.


Bet they are still pushing ahead with the Le Mans though....

Simon